As he prepares for the biggest game of his career to date, David Fifita talks about meeting David Fifita (pictured), the unveiling of the Indigenous team's war dance and sleeping arrangements the night before a game.
Training daze
It's been a crazy week so far with a lot going on but when everyone turned up for training at the stadium this morning they were switched on and turned up for it. There were very few dropped balls that I can remember and everyone was ready although I think all the boys were more excited to practise the war dance.
Final training run for the #IndigenousAllStars begins at @cbusstadium #NRLAllStars pic.twitter.com/53a694nqLN
— NRL (@NRL) February 11, 2015Out for the final session before tomorrow’s #NRLAllStars match on the Gold Coast. Go well @WJChambers4! #purplepride pic.twitter.com/H7wJgiJY28
— Melbourne Storm (@storm) February 11, 2015Today was my first lesson in learning it and it was very interesting for me because I've never done anything like that for the Indigenous side of the family. I've done it for the Islander side and there is a big difference in how both cultures do it and the different movements that are involved.
I loved it and can't wait to get out there tomorrow night and do it.
The war dance represents intimidation and the fact that we're not backing down. It is a way to present our mobs, our people and that we're here and we're not backing down.
Meeting 'Little Dave'
My cousin, little Dave Fifita, is playing for the Queensland Indigenous under-16s in one of the curtain-raisers, which is really exciting. I was speaking to my dad on Wednesday night about it because when I went through the program I saw that there was another David Fifita. I thought they'd printed my name twice and it was a mistake but Dad rang and said he was my cousin and he had the same name as me.
Our grandparents come from the same island so I'm claiming him; that's little Dave, I'll take that. He plays at Souths Acacia Ridge in Brisbane, he's the next generation.
As soon as I saw his name in the program I wanted to meet him.
http://t.co/KVXhz2ApUK is streaming the Women's #NRLAllStars match plus Touch Football & Under 16s Indigenous Origin! http://t.co/e3cz293xtt
— NRL (@NRL) February 12, 2015Game time
My family come up tonight so I won't get a chance to go and watch the Koori v Murri game, although I hope the Kooris give it to them.
I love mucking around with my little son, Krew, the night before a game and I've always got to have a big pasta dish, either lasagna or spaghetti.
He's four and the night before a game is the only time he's ever allowed to sleep in my bed, even though he's a bit of a menace sometimes.
Even before the three NRL games I played last year I'd wake up nervous and then you look at the forward pack for the NRL All Stars and it's just full of international and Origin players.
This experience is a big stepping stone for me and if I can take these guys now I'll be able to take them through the season. It's a massive stepping stone and I want to prove myself and prove to everyone out there that I'm up to it.
Game day not far away for Beau Scott - he’s just attended the #NRLAllStars coach and captain media event #goKnights pic.twitter.com/uCqAj62XpU
— Newcastle Knights (@NRLKnights) February 12, 2015When we wake up in the morning we'll put some music on and start dancing around, that's how the Fifita-hood get ready.
